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WASHINGTON — As the United States questions a federal program that funnels surplus military equipment to local police departments, a similar Canadian program has not warranted the same scrutiny.

President Barack Obama has ordered a review of the program following the heavy response by law enforcement to protests in Ferguson, Mo., this August.

In Canada, police departments also have access to surplus military gear through official requests to National Defence (DND), though it doesn't appear to be nearly as popular as the one south of the border, where more than 8,000 police forces have purchased $5.1 billion worth of military gear since 1997. That equipment ranges from exercise equipment to tactical vehicles and M-16 rifles.

"As a rule we don't acquire surplus materiel from DND, as the RCMP has specific needs centred around policing and not military needs," RCMP spokesman David Falls.

According to the DND, the military first tries to sell excess military gear before considering free transfers to other federal organizations, countries and to cop shops.

Since 2007, Edmonton police have received a Grizzly armoured personnel carrier, B.C. Mounties got two Cougar armoured vehicles, and the police departments of New Glasgow, N.S., and Windsor Ont., each got a Cougar.

Staff Sgt. Vladio Giampuzzi, with Windsor emergency services, said Friday the department hasn't used the Cougar since procuring it in 2013, but has it in case of events like hostage situations.

DND spokesman Dan LeBouthillier said the surplus transfers are meant to provide the best value for taxpayers — and that the vehicles are de-armed, undergo a "demilitarization process," and the Canadian Armed Forces markings are removed before the vehicles get a full paint job.

Police departments can also purchase similar military-type gear through the private sector. Statistics on those purchases aren't immediately available.